§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies exist for press officers in his Department on(a) the newsdesk and (b) the proactive press team; what the budgeted size of his Department's press office is; and if he will make a statement. [155818]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 27 March 2001]: The current number of vacancies is:
- (a) One—newsdesk
- (b) Two—proactive press teams
The budget for the Home Office press office for the financial year 2000–01 is approximately £1.6 million based on staffing levels of: five Senior Information Officers, 20 Information Officers, three Assistant Information
702WOfficer trainees, one Chief Immigration Officer, one Higher Executive Officer, seven administrative grades and three senior manages.